Rack traction-engine.



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INVENTOR No. 865,605. PATENTED SEPT. 10, 1907. P. MONTSABRB.

RACK TRAOTION ENGINE.

APPLIOATIOI FILED 10V. 17. 1905.

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mwnl PI... .n..fnu NN No. 365,605. PATBNTED SEPT. 10, 1907. P. MONTBABRB. RACK TRAOTIUN ENGINE.

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INVENTO? UUR/JEM No. 365,505. .PATENTBD SEPT. 1o, 190V.'V

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BACK TBAGTION ENGINE.

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No. 865,605. PATENTED SEPT. 10, 1907. P. MONTSABRB.

RACK TRAOTION ENGINE.

APPLIUATIOI FILED 10V. 17. 1906.

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RACK TRAUTION ENGINE.

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No. 865,605. PATENTED SEPT. 10, 1907. P. MONTSABRE. RACK TRAOTION ENGINE.

APPLXOATIOI FILED l0V.17. 1906.

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PHILIPPE MONTSABRE, OF'FRESNO, CALIFORNIA.

RACK TRACTION-ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 10, 1907.

Application lilsd November 17.1905. Serial No. 287,908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Pamiers. Mos'rssnas, residing at Fresno, in the county of Fresno and State of California, have invented a new and Improved Combined Traction-Engine and Track Laying. and Conveying Mechanism Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to an improvement in that typo of traction engines in which an endless chain of track sections is provided, having feet or traveling members for contacting with the ground, guido mils forming a cooperativo part of the track mechanism, and propelling means including car trucks for sustaining the power mechanism, the said car trucks and propelling mechanisms being cooperatively combined with the endless track and guide mechanisms, the several parts having special correlation whereby, as the engine moves forward, the track will be continuously laid therefor and at the same time be picked up and carried along so that the various parts constituting my invention operate as a complete mechanism, all of which travels forward as power is applied.

Primarily, my invention seeks to provide an improved mechanism of the character stated, in which the parts are particularly designed for great flexibility and whereby thel laying and picking up of the track and guide way ls easily and effectively accomplished and whereby, the co-acting rail and guide means can be quickly deflected laterally in the directions desired without undue strain upon the operating parts.

My invention generally comprehends an endless track and guide-way, a car mounted to travel thereon and therewith, and adjusted to sustain the driving power, a inuit or pilot truck having drive mechanisms arranged to be actuated from the driving power on the car and including means for positively laying the track, a rear traction truck which includes a drive mechanism also actuated from the power mechanism, mounted on the car and which includes a triiction wheel for picking up the track and guiding it toward its forward direction, the said cnr and the front and roar traction trucks having means for joining together in a longitudinal plano and for individual flexure laterally relatively to each other.

My invention also comprehends, in connection with the mechanism for laying and imparting a continuous motion to tho endless truck way, means carried by the front and 'rear trucks and tho intermediate car for properly guiding the track-way and admitting of lateral flexuro of the said guide-way to suit the curvature or lateral direction of movement of the parts, said front and rear trucks and the intermediate car being also equipped with special means for properly sustaining the upper or over-hanging portion of the tmck-way in engage ment with a supplemental feed mechanism.

ln its more completo nature, my' invention comprohcnds a special construction of a track-way formed of flexible and joined sections, means for guiding same and for holding the several sections in proper longitudinal or curved alinement and means for sustaining cach of tho travelers or foot members whereby each traveler or foot member has movement independent of the others, whereby said foot member can adapt itself to the character of the ground and the desired direction of movement of the entire mechanism.

ln its more subordinate features, my invention ombodics certain structural combinations and novel arrangement of parts, all of which will be hereinafter specifically referred to, particularly in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1, represents somewhat diagmmmntically, a side elevation of my complete traction engine. Fig. 2, is a side elevation of a central truck, a box car mounted thereon and the over-head supports for the track-way mounted on the box car. Fig., 3, is o. side elevation of the front or pilot traction truck and the track laying and supporting mechanism, the truck driving means and the over-head supports for the endless truck. Fig. 4, is a similar view of the rear traction truck, the rear or lift wheel, the driving mechanism for the several parte and the over-head supports for the endless flexible tinck. Fig. 5, is a transverse section taken substantially on the lino 5 5 on Fig. 3. Fig. 0, is a similar view on the line 0--6 on Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 7, is a horizontal section on the line 7-7 on-Fig. 3 of the front or pilot traction end of the machine. Fig. 8, is a similar view of the rear traction ond of the machine, on the lino 8,-8 of Fig. 4. Fig. 9, is a diagrammatic horizontal section, taken on the line il-9 on Fig. 2. Fig. 10, is a top plan view of the oscillating frame on the box car that supports the over-head portion of the endless track-way, the latter being indicated in dotted lirios. Fig. il, is a detail view of a portion of the sectional track-way. Fig. 12, is a detail view of a portion of ono of the rack members of the track-way. Fig. 13, is a cross section thereof on the line 13-l3 on Fig. l2. Fig. lll, illustrates the construction of the pivot holding or bearings and the transverse or joiner rod hereinafter referred to. Fig. 15, is a detail perspective view of the rack pivot holder.- Fig. 16, is a diagrammatic plan view which illustrates a portion of the track-way arranged with the sovcral sections adjusted to form a curve. Fig. 17, is a plan view of a minibar of sections of the central track, the outer guides nml foot or traveling member connections. Fig. 18, is a perspective view of the biforked bar 77, hereinafter referred to. Fig, 19, is a detail View of the outside branch member 9i of ono ol' the Y-shaped tread rail links. Fig. 20, is u similar view of tho inside brunch 02 of one of tho Y-shaped tread rail links. Fig. 2l, is a perspective view of a completo Y-slmped tread rail link with a portion of the bridge member 137 connected thereto. Fig. 22, is a detail view of the bar having the tract-ion feet 75. Fig. 23, is a plan view of a modified form of the triple rail track .which also shows the arrangement of the bridge member 137 over the Y side tread rail links. Fig. 24, is a detail transverse view, illustrating the track with a traction truck mounted thereon. Fig. 25, is a detail view of one of the members 80. Fig. 26, is a detail plan view of a modified structure hereinafter referred to. Fig. 27, is a detail view of one of the members 70. Figs. 28 and 20 are detail views of another modification, hereinafter referred to. Fig. 30, is a detail view of a further modification hereinafter referred to.

To 'render the detailed description of my invention the more readily understood, a brief refere'nce to 'the general arrangement of my complete mechanism is here deemed proper.

of the lateral portions has at its outer end the traction4 or supporting feet of the endless traveling track or chain of track members, and each of the said lateral extensions further have their extremities suitably formed whereby to flexibly and pivotally join with each other and to provide outer guido rails to receive the o'uter supporting and guide wheels of the several trucks that form a part of the traction power mechanisms and the trailer car or cars.

The 'traction mechanism proper, the general arrange ment of 'which and its cooperative connection with the endless chain or track sections that pass over and under the traction mechanism, is shown in Fig. l, and the said traction mechanism includes what I shall hereinafter term the front or pilot traction portion, since the said front end pilots the direction of the entiro machine and also serves as a means for laying the track, a rear traction portion, since the rear end of the completo machine acts to guide the endless chain of tracks, and to lift the same and start them toward the front or pilot ond, and a trailer truck or cars, ono of said cars being shown in Fig. l, but in the practical arrangement. two or more of such cars can be used. The tmiler car has primarily for its purpose., the sustaining of the main power engine or motor, the operator or operators and such accessories that may be required for handling the entire machine, and such trailer trucks are also provided for sustaining the straight-way or overhead portion of the endless tmck and for holding said endless track in position for proper engagement with the conveying drums or wheels of tho front and rear traction mechanisms.

The front and rear traction mechanisms are each driven by a separato engine or motor that receives itsV energy from the main engine or motor, carried on the trailer car, as will be clearly nnderstmxl by reference to Fig. 1. The intermcdinto traction car or cars used in connection with my machine have their traveling wheels each secured to its end axle or shaft whereby they can turn independent of each other and adapt. themselves for turning shortly to the right or to the loft upon the endless track with but a minimum amount 0f friction, as will presently lnore fully appt-ar.

The trucks for thc front and rear traction devices 7 are constructed substantially alike and one of .such trucks is shown in Fig. 7, by reference to which it will be seen that the said track is composed of three pairs of longitudinally arranged beams, thc central ones bcing designated 6 7, the outer ones 10-1l and l--lll and the several longitudinal beams are joined b v cross members 8 and 9. Each pair of longitudinal beams is an individual fratrie so as to give perfect. solidity to the construction, and the outermost pair of longitudinal beams 10-11 and 12- -13 are provided for one purpoet` while the intermediate. pair of beams fl-T are utilized for another purpose, as will hereinafter appear.

Tho front traction truck includes a. pair of drive shafts b, mounted in cach end of the truck frame in bearings 6B projected vertically from the longitudinal beams and the rcar track frame is provided with a similar drive shaft'23 which is mounted in bearings lfltl pcndcntly pmjcctcd from the longitudinal beams, suoli correlativo arrangement of the shafts 5 and 23 heing provided to compensate for the differential diameters of the driver gears lf and 4 of the front and rear traction devices.

The driver gears 16l6 and 4-4 which are in thc nature of cogged drive wheels, are fixedly secured to the shafts 5 and 23 and these gears are arranged in longitudinal alinemcnt and have for their object to cn gage and coperato with the centrally located rack rail 27 of the track-way, see Figs. ll and lfS, and cach of the cog drive wheels 4 and 1f have double flanges 133 for engaging with a pair of flat rails 35-35 on cach side of and adjacent to the rack rails 27, the detailed construction of which is clearly shown in Figs. 12 and ll and the said flanges 132i also have for their object to keep the drive wheels Ai and lfi in proper position upon the rack mils as well as serving the function to direct thel movement of the whole apparatus or machintI upon the endless track. lhc drive wheels 4 und lt servo as a main support for the apparatus und sustuiii tho main weight thereof to insure proper adhesion bot wccn thc said drive wheels and the rack truck-way.

'lho front and rear traction trucks uro euch provided with oppositoly and centrally disposed pendent buffer springs 2 which uro secured upon thc outer longitudinal beams 10-11 and 12-13. lhesc springs carry central bearings in which are pivote-d shortaxles tlf), sco Figs. 3 or 4, upon which is secured to turn with the axles. the flanged balance and guido wheels Il which are designed to coperute with that portion of the endless track formed by tho Y-shaped tread rails JL-AVL- tm, as clearly shown in Fig. 211, said balance wheels :l serving to maintain n proper balance in the ontirc machine und keep tho trucks in proper position with respect to thtI truck. The balance wheels il nre also provided with flanges l32 upon their outer .sides which `servo to koop ibo said balance wheel in proper position on thc Aurfuvo of tho Y-shnpcd tread rail. said flanges also serving as auxiliary wheels since their periphery wheels servo lo run upon sectional bridge portions lil? which lap tho intervening spaces that separate the Y-shapod rail links, as will hereinafter appear.

eeo,eos

Since thesuper-str'uctures upon which the independent drive mechanism for the forward pilot truck and the rear or trailer truck are of like construction, a detailed description of one of said super-structures will be suicient iorboth and vin describing the said super-structure, the parte supported -thereby and coperating therewith, I will referrnore particularly to the pilot or front end of the machine.

By referring new more particularly to Figs. 3 and 5 and (l, it 1will be noticed that upon the longitudinal beams G-i', 10-11, and 12--13 are secured vertically extended semi-circular supports 39, upon the outermost ones of which are niountedthe biiurcated ends 40 of the vertically extendedmembers 41 which are connected at the top by a cross bar 36, and the lower ends of the said bifurcated members 40 have an integralbase '13.8, by means of which they are fixedly supported upon and projected upwardly from the outermost semi-circular members 39. Similar members 40* are mounted upon the curved supports 39 attached to the longitudinal frame or timbers 6, 7, 10 arid 12, and the several frame members 39 and 40 are transversely braced -by bars 129', shafts 44 and transverse bars 130, whereby to provide for a proper rigid construction.

The vertical extensions 41-41 of the outer vertical or yoke frames 40 are extended snilieiently above the overhead s ectio'nsof the track to provide for the accom- 'inodatiou of a transverse shaft (l1, upon which is mounted a presser roller 25, the purpose of which is to keep the endless rack track sections in tinn conta'ct'with the driver cog gear 50, presently 4again referred to, and for guiding the outer or guid tracks of the endless chain, rollers 49 are provided for engaging with the under side of the said guide tracks, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, by reference to which it will be noticed that these rollers nre journaled upon shafts 48, mounted in the adjacent outermost vertical members of yoke frames 47, and similar rollers 49 are provided, which are sufficiently separated to straddle a complete series of the trackway, whereby to engage with the under side or guide track sections in a manner clearly shown in Fig. 3, by reference to which it will be noticeiLtliat the said rollers 49 are as before stated mounted upon short shafts journaled in pondent bow frames 47, suitably secured to the yoke lmmes. as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

'llio flanged ovorhead rollers 49 and -lll are assombled in sets of three on cach side of the truck, and, as will be seen from the drawings, are located in the same vertical plane with the balance wheels 3 on the traction truck and their uiain object is to cooperate in snpporting tho Y-shapod portions on tho side guido or tread rails of the track-way, and furthermore, these flanged sido rollers IIll and 49, by reason of having tlioir short axles t8 ainl 48 sepamtod from each otlior, a distance equal to the length of the sections of the track-way, a

simple and effective mums is provided for the automatic turni'ug of the over-head sections of the track and thereby provided for the machine following the curves of tho truck-way as they are adjusted to provide for the manipulation of the front or pilot wheel.

51 indicates a double crank .shaft mounted transvcrsely in bearings formed upon the innermost pairs ol the yoke fmmes 10 and this shaft 61 carries a drivecog wliool 60, before referred to, and which lies in the longitudinal plane of the front or pilot section and rear traction drum or drive wheel. The cog drive wheel .5() has for its bject to coperate in supporting and moving the over-head portions of lhe truck, by means of engaging with the rack links 27 thereof. The vertical fiume members 39 and 40, which are assembled in pairs on the inside of the truck, also serve as convenient means for supporting the power mechanism and to that end, a steam, explosive, or electric engine, indicated by 46, is mounted and secured vertically between the cross pieces 129 and 130 to tho yoke frames and in such manner that the piston rod of the said engine is arranged to reciprocate vertically and to act on the seveml guide wheels, whereby to give freedom or flexible adjustment to the traction truck when it follows the curves on the road.

The piston rod 3l is conncctcd 'with thrcc driviwhccls for thc front or pilot. end of tho machine, by means of a horizontally disposed oscillating lcvcrpowcr 12, which is iulcruincd nt 44 upon a st-nii-t ircular lranic member 39. Near thc center thc bar l2 has a slot 79 in which the end of the piston rod is pivotally sccured, (see Fig. 3).

45 dcsignatcs a pair of struddlc pitman rods which are connected at one end to the cranks 5l" ot thc shaft 51 and have thrir other ends connected to a cross rod 51" that takes through the slot 79 in the liars l2 and by reason thereof, the motion is imparted to the drive wheel 50, before referred to.

Each oscillating lever har 42 has its frco rnd joincd with a pitman rod 43 and thc said rods 43 arc coiincctcd to thecranks 23* on the shafts 23 that carry thc cog driver gears 16, it being understood that a similar urrangcmcnt of pitman bars 43 is provided for the rcar traction truck which connects with tho driver-ogs 4, but th( sc cogs, it should lic statt-d, are of ltss diamctcr than the front drive cogs 1li, since thtir function is more in the nutrire of guidcs for holding thc track-way down, than to act as guidi` mcmbcis.

The power mechanisms cach rcctivc thc werking agents which may bc steam, explosivo gas, or clcctric current, from thc main power cam't-d by thc iutcinicdiate or trailcr car, and thc said pou-tr nicclninisius mounted upon the truck havo for tln ir ohjcct. to iuovc in unison the scvcrnl drivc whccls of cucli traction truck.

Upon cach sido ol thc drivc gcurs itl oro monntcd sprockct wliccls l5, und thc fort-most wliccls l5 uri` coupled with u sprockrt. wht-cl .20 inounicd upon thc shaft. 21 of tho main or drivcr drinn or truck laying wht-cl 22, through thc incdium of thc drivc chains .Zl. which impart thc rcquircd rotary motion to llnpilot or track laying wht-cl 22. ns cli-arly shown in liiirs. Il and 7. 'llic tinck laying or drinn wht-cl 1". has its axle centrally located with rcspt ct to thc hcight ol' thc entire apparatus. and it is of n polygonal i-hupc u iili il.`- polygonal ridts pmvidcd uitli ttigs cxccpt inar iin ir corners. and thc polygonal scctions, in prncticc. mnh with thc cogs on tho rack links 2T. in such nnnincr us to insuro a pcrlcct automatic and systematic adjustment of thcmoviug sccticnso thc truck on tht-polygonal sections of tho dri in wliccl 22 as powcr is upplicd to thc same. The polygonal whccl 22 luu-i longitudinally projcctcd ribs 22, scc Fig. 7, ou cucli rido oi its tootlicd portions, which cctlpcratc willi thc udjnccut llut or guide rail portions 31') ot' thc rack truck, und ilu-.st` sidi- `ribs provide for properly supporting the several sectionsof the track as they are being passed through the said wheel. The wheel 22 is mounted upon a transverse i shaft21, loosely mounted upon a pair of long polesl turning et' the large polygonal drum or drive wheel 22 4to the right or left.

kTo hold the several sections of the track mil firmly against the outermost face of the polygonal sides of the drum or drive gear as they pass thereover, a pair of presser rollers 25^25 which are individually rotated in the extremities of the spring rods 67, which extend over the front of the pilot or drive wheel and are mounted on the cross har 61 supported in the outer extremities of hanger rods 19 which are supported upon the shaft 2l and have 'their inner ends linked in eyet on the frame 18, as clearly shown on Fig. 7 of the drawings.

By referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, it

Iwill be noticed that the drive wheels 4-4 are of `considerable less diameter than the front guide wheels 10- 10, such relation of the front and rear drive wheels heing to provide the machine with adequate means for climbing hills, and it will also be noticed that the rear traction tnlck supports upon the bars 1? that are secured toI the frame 39 and extend rearwardly therefrom, a dntm wheel 22l which is similar in arrangement and construction to the pilot fraaie or drive wheel 22, hereinafter described, with the exception that it receives power from indtpendently mounted sprockets 54, mounted upon the shaft 65. journalcd in cross lwarings 53 to the yoke frame 3f). power being imparted to the drum wheel 22* by chains 24* that take around thtsaid sprockets b4, and the sprockets 20', mounted upon tho shaft. 2l* that carries the drum wheel 22* and which is also loosely supported upon the hars 17* in a manner similar to the support for the pilot or forward drum 22, and a similar driver or guide miler 26" mounted upon arms o7" secured upon a shaft til mounted in the frame hars lll* linked to the yoke frame I8* in the same manner as the similar parts are adjusted on the front cnd of the machine.

The rear drum whccl 22I is driven hy a motor 40", mounted upon a yoke fnune and whose piston f5* connects with the oscillating levers 42* which in turn are linked to planks 65X on the shaft 65 and which, through the medium of the link rods 43* are joined with the plank members 5 of the shafts 6 that carry the guide wheels 4-4. The oscillating levers 42'* are connected hy link rods do" with the cnxnks of a shaft 50" that carries a centrally disposed or auxiliary drive gear wheel o0 and which acts the same as a similar but larger drive gear wheel 60 on the front oud of the machine.'

'lho intermediate cars or tndlors, it will he understood, aro pivotally connected willi the front and rear traction truck so as to provide for a proper side fiexure in turning curves, etc., etc. The truck of the Vintermediate or trailer car, the construction of one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 9, is constructed similar to the trucks for the front and rear trucks, except that the shafts carrying the central wheels have no crank members and the central wheels designated 112, mounted upon tlie shaft 109 have their peripheries formed for engaging with the toothed and smooth rail portions of the endless track, and the said trucks are also provided with sido flange wheels 104 for coperating with the Y-shaped portions o fthe outer or guide sections of the endless track, the outer flanges of said wheel 104 acting as auxiliary wheels to coporate with the bridge portions 137 of the Y rails, hereinafter referred to.

The intermediate or trailer cars, illustrated in Fig. 2, aforesaid, have segmental horizontal racks 115-115, thc purpose of which will presently appear. Each intermediate car or trailer truck has a fifth wheel 98, upon which the box car is mounted and upon the top of the said box cars, a special means is provided for supporting the overhead sections of the truck as it passes from one end of thc machine to the other, and the said special means comprises a rectangular shaped horizontally disposed frame 57, shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 10, which is also divided into three longitudinal partitions in which are mounted in individual bearings, three rotatable shafts 66, upon which are secured side rollers 58 which are assembled in pairs on each side of the frame 57 to cooperate and engage a pair of Y-shaped tread rails, as clearly shown in Fig. (i. Each of the three shafts 66 also carries a centrally disposed double flanged and periphcrally toothed roller 5l), which have for their object to support the central tmck rail links of the track-way and the said three pairs of shafts 60, in tho practical arrangement of the completo machine, are separated from cach other a distance equal the length of the several track sections in order to effect a proper and automatic turning of the overhead track portions when the machine follows curves. A fifth wheel (i3 is also pendently secured to the central portion of the frame 57 and is rotatable upon the annular guide 5T", secured upon a stand (1B, centrally mounted upon the trailer or box car, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The fifth wheel G3 is situated in vertical alinemcnt with the fifth wheel of the trailer truck to provide for a proper lateral movement or oscillation of the trucks, and the overhead track supporting fratrie 57, and to keep the overhead track properly' adjusted upon the rollers 5U and 5i), a presser roller 25 is held to engage the upper face of the central or rack portion of the track und the said roller 25 is mounted upon transverse tie rod llo", the extremities of which arc secured iu thtl standards 4l that extend upwardly from the frame 57.

The frame 6T is provided at one or hoth of its ends with segmental gears 1li) which cooperate with the segmental gcar portions ll of the bottom or trailer truck and tho said segmental gears 115 and ll.) are arranged to mosh with opposing segmental gears liti and H8, mounted upon tho upper and lower ends of tho vertical and rotatuhlo shalt ll7, having hearings in the upper and lower extensions or projections of the ear frame, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and i), such arrangement of parts imparting a steady and uniform lili) movement to the truck frame and the over-head fraaie 57, while passing around curves and thereby maintaining a uniform fiexure or lateral bending of the upper and lower sections of the endless track.

Having thus described the detailed construction and arrangement of the traction trucks or trailer cars, the drum wheels which form the traction, driving and track laying mechanism, and the main essentials of myinvention, I shall now proceed to describe in detail the construction of the endless track which coperates with the said parts and, together with said parts, form the complete structure of my invention.

By referring new more particularly to Figs. 16 and 17. it will be noticed that the endless track is composed of obliquely disposed frame sections which are supported and connected to coperate with the traction feet, a rack rail link, and the side tread rail, all of which forth a cooperative part of the completed endless track.

The detailed construction of the rack rail links is best illustnttcd in Figs. l1 and l5, by reference to which it will be seen that each section of the endless tinck includes an obliqucly ammged supporting frame, scc particularly Figs. lli, li) and 22, which fmtne consists essentially of the converging bars 70, the inner or adjacent ends of which are extended at obtuse angles whcrcbyto fortn parallel short longitudinal extensions 72-72 and cach of the said frames includes transverse or main bars 80 which are secured to the side bars 70 by passing the said side bars through apertures 82 in the outer ends of tho said main bars 80, and the said tmnsverse bars have extensions 82, the extremities of which extend through the small slots 84 on the under side of the member 02 of the Y-shaped tread rail links, hereinafter again refened to, and as best shown in Fig. 2l, and the extensions of bars 80 have for their object to sustain and maintain under a proper position, the Y-shapcd tread mil links when the endless track is turned upside-down when going over the cars.

'Ehe separated ends of each of the converging bars 70 can y at their extremities, a section of a traction foot which is made up by semi-circular prolongations 73 on the outer end of the bars 70, as best shown in Figs. i7 and i8, by reference to which it will be also observed that a third bar 7T se "tred at its center 78 by the bolts to thc cross bar 80 has its outer ends bolted to' the semitircuhtr portion 73 of the sido bars 70. Tite said bant 77 carry at their outer ends traction foot. members T5 which aro adjustably secured and which coaet with scmicircular adjusted tmction foot members 7-t secured on the outer sides of the circular ends of the frame bar Tt). as shown. Each traction foot section 75, carried by a cross bnr TT, is adapted to bc adjusted uniformly with thc traction feel 'H carried by tite bar 70 so, as to steady the whole machine and bnice it from lateral movement whihpassing over the ground and to further such action of the foot members, the traction fcct 74 are disposcd at right anglts to the center or connecting porlion T3.

it is not absolutely necessary that tite bar 77 be providcthat its ends with traction feet ns its cxtrcluitics may be joined to the sectional traction foot 73 by liv( ting or brating it to the said foot 73 iu any well lznown manner, and if desired, the third traction foot member 7b can be secured to the other two sections of the traction foot 74 whereby to form a series of traction feet members to adapt the machine to go over sandy or country roads, as will be presently more lolly stated, and furthermore, while l prefer, for the reason stated, to use the particularshapc or form of traction feet described and shown, it is manifest that the foot members may'bo modified in their structure to suit. the requirements or character oi the land over which the machine may be required to travel.

The converging bars 70, tite brace bar 77 and the cross bar 80 also have for their purpose to support a pair of bearings 3ft which partially rest on the top of the said bars, as clearly shown in Fig. 17. 'ihe bearings 3-l34 which are in parallel alincment, are located ut equal distance frotn the middle of each supporting fratne and these bearings furnish means for connecting the said supporting frame membtas. The supporting frame membeis before referred to, can be constructed either in an extended manner` as shown in Fig. i7, or they may be constructed in a contracting manner, as shown in Fig. 23, the contracting form of the supporting frame bt ing preferably for heavy loads.

A horizontally disposed pivotcd rack holder or coupling device is journalcd in cach pair of bearings 34, as best shown in Fig. lll, and the said holder 85 is of rectangular shape. in vertical view, and has a pair of oppositcly disposed journals or pivots S5-85, sce Fig. 15, which forms an intcgml part of an upper cross bar. Tite top surface of the upper cross bar 85 at its center is longitudinally recessed and formed with a central bearing aperture to receive a pivot or fulcrum pin 8S which secures one end of a rack section to the coupling device 85, the said rack section being formed with n slot 2G, sce Fig. 12, for slipping over the (lattened part of the cross bar 85, the extension 27 of the 100 pendent member 27 of the nick section tilting within the yoke member 80 and its iront end resting upon the bottom bearing which has an aperture 88 which coincides with the aperture 88 to receive tlte pendent pitt which also passes through the extensions 27 of the 105 pendent flange of the rack ruil sections. 'lhc other ond oi each rack rail section is mounted to nieve laterally upon a bearing that forms a part of the endless track sections. Each of the rack rail links 27 forms one of tho elementary parts of the completi.` track-way and the nick rail links 27 art` cach formed of u rectangular bar with rack tccth 2o projected therefrom and with u pair of adjacent ilat rails 35--35 which project. laterally from the rack face, as clearly shown in Fig. 13.

Ono end of cach rack rail link section has a pendent angle portion 38 secured to tite center of the transverse.

bar titlof the track frame member hcreinla-forc described,

and the other end of cach section pivotally includes a pivot holder 85 as before stated, and in such manner that'the upper branch or face is provided with rack 120 teeth sustained straight on top of thc Ilat bearing of the pivot holder and lower or extension branch .7 that is held inside of the rectangular frame tio.

To provide for a proper operation of the truck rail section, it is necessary that one tooth terminates at each end of euch nick link and that small space separates the consecutive rack links to prevent the teeth of the said links from interfering with one another when the track is moved around the polygonal wheels, for by reason of such arrangetm-nt, the drive wheels will positively engage in a progressive and continuous manner, all of the teeth of the rack rail links. By reason of the rack bar rail links joined with the frames and their cross bars 80 in the manner mentioned, the connection can be effected with the free end et the rail bar 77, as shown in Figs. 17 and 23, or any other place along the length of the nick, for exanipie, as shown in Fig. 16. By reason of forming the ends 72 of the frame member 70 in the tiianiier hereinbefore described and shown in Fig. 33, the said bar 70 cati be readily secured against the sides of the rack bar.

The Y-shaped tread rails which form a part of my complete endless track construction, generally are made up of the diverging or Y rail links 9i and 92, the converging ends of which are securely bolted to an extension 93 of the rail link 92 and each member 93 in tum is pivotally connected to bridge rails 137, as best shown in Fig. 21. The member 92 of the Y-shaped tread portion, serves as a rail member for this reason,- that the top of its surface is on the same plane as the main or mono rail section 93, and to provide for a proper` turning of the track to the right or left, the branch 92 is flared inwardly at a' slight angle from the prolongation of the said tuono rail 93, and further, this inside branch member 92 is also provided with an elongated slot 97 ,which begins in tho mil at its juncture with the mono rail 93 and extends rearwardly iintil it reaches the outer edge of a traction foot carrying transverse bar 89, presently again referred to.

Near its rear extremity, the branch 92 has a pendent portion 92l provided with a transverse aperture 130 which has for its object to receive therethrough either the transverse bars 77 when the form of frame shown in Fig. 17 is used, or a similar transverse bnice bar 95 when the form of fmine in the modified construction shown in Fig. 23 is used, the said bar 95 or 77 being held in place by the cap plate 94. as shown in Fig. 21.

The top surface of the outside Y-bninch 9i anti the flat. surface Mare in the sani'.` horizontal piane willi the bottom of the slot 97 on the brunch member 92, aiid the purpose for having such parts in the plane stated, is that they will freely support the extremities of the transverse jointer rod 89 which supports the outside branch 2l of the mono mil 93, see Fig. 2l, and also helps to sustain the bridge bearing 137 which will be presently again referred to, and the said outside branch 9i is also formed with a slot 97" to receive the ends of the md 89.

Each Y-shaped tread mil portion consists cssentiall of the members 9i, 92 and 93, und is supported abovtI the ground by an elongated tniction foot 99 situated on the outer end of the brunch member 9i and the said tmction foot 99 is joined to the traction feet 73 and 7-l by means of the transverse bearing 95 when the contracted forni of the supporting frame shown in the modified construction in Fig. 29, is used.

The sectional tniction feet 99* atid 75 litive a piumlity of tenons, by which they aro secured in corresponding apertures existing in the prop or bearing portion 76 of the traction feet members 99 and 74. previously referred to, and when the transverse bearing 9b is tilted, it is inserted in the aperture 139 formed on the under side of the Y bmtich member 92 whereby to support that branch member above the road.

'llie transverse rod 89, before referred to, is held to move around a vertical pivot, which may be thtl pii- 18 projected below the under side of a truck, and the s-.iid rod passes through the bottom slots 90-9tt in the converging bearing 70 :ind the members 77 as shown in Fig. 23, and the cxtrcmities'of the said rod S9 pass through the slots 97 and 97 in the Y-sh-.ipcd sections 9]. anti 92. By providing the transverse rod member S9 as stated, a support in the free end extremities ot' the mono rail members 93 of thc next track section is provided, said bars 89 also serving to support one end of the bridge. member or bar 137 which pivotally connects with and extends forwardly from the mono rail 93, and has for its purpose to bridge over tite side gap existing between the two consecutive Y-shapcd tread: links, one of the cutis of the said bridge. bciiipr .supported on thc joititcr rod S9. thc other cnd beingY held to slide upon the surface plate 94 of thc member 9i ot the ucxtudjacentY rail portion of tbc track. sce l"ig..2l.

lt will be noticed that the transverse rod S9, in itself. has no pivotal connection, but it forms a pivotal support for the mono rail 93 and to provide against the said rod 89 having lateral movement independent of thi,` mono rail section 9i. the said rod at thc point wht-rc it passes through the mono mil. sce Fig. 2:3, is formed with grooves or depressions 11i-i to receive the corri-spondingly shaped portions of the mono rail 93 as it engages therewith.

The Y-shaped tread rail links, each of which consists essentially of members 9i, 92 and 93, are assembled in bearings and are mounted on their elongated traction feet 9U, 96", 74 and 73 to totiperate willi the balance wheels Ii atid thc flanges l1i2on thc traction cars and to also coperato with the overhead flanged side rails -tEt und 58 of the nzuchine as herciubefore described. 'liic several mil links that are situated on the sinne side of the track, overlap euch other in such a manner that. thc extremities of the mono rail 93 are iutei'iocked between the branches 9i iiiid;9.2 of tht` next tread rail sect ion and itis slightly pressed against the inside branch 91. of tht said adjacent or next tread rail section and the transverse jointer rod 89 which is set across cach section of the track passes through double slots 97 Y97l to thc assembled tread mils in pairs. anti thereby pivotally supports the ends of tht` tiiotio mils 93- 93 lit-longing to the next track section, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2l and 23.

Fig. 3l) shows a modified fortii of endless in-.iiii trat-lt and in this forni` the track comprises links which are pivotcd together ou the transverse main bars t). oi' thtl track supporting fraiiie sections atid thc said auxiliary rod rail links arc itiadtl tip of telescopicaliy arranged members 2H arranged to slide into cach other and thtl said member '.23 has a cross slnipc in transvcrsc diri-ct ion aiid tht` tnciubcr .9 is a counterpart ot' tht` nicnibcr S iti cross section. 'i`hc outer link .9 is forked al ontI oi its extremities to produce two biaiichcs adapted to btsiipportcd und slide in slots locati-d nt-ar tht` bottoni ot' thc truiisversul main bar lstl and li-.ivtalso for tht-ir ab jcct to protlitci a slot litisc for thc construction ot thttelescopically arranged rails. as described.

A pair of hangers .tl which carry boni-ings4 on tbttop arc fulcruiued on each side to thtbottooi oi' thtI natio bur iitid horixoiital pivotstitlare journah-d in the said hangers and the extremities of the auxiliary rod rails l'till 

